Media Release

Big Island police are investigating a report of a robbery in Hilo that involved a firearm.

On Wednesday morning (June 27) shortly after 6 a.m., police responded to a convenience store in the upper Kaumana Drive area, where a 41-year-old Hilo man reported that while on his morning walk at about 4:30 a.m., he was approached by two male suspects standing near a car at the intersection of Kaumana Drive and the Puainakō Avenue extension. While one of the suspects asked the victim a question, the other suspect reportedly struck him on the head from behind.

After regaining consciousness, the victim reportedly saw one of the suspects brandishing a firearm. As an approaching vehicle passed, the victim fled into the bushes.

One of the suspects is described as possibly a local male with a slightly muscular build.

The second suspect is described as possibly a Micronesian male, about 5-foot-4 to 5-foot-7 with a dark complexion. He was described as wearing a black shirt and silver shorts with what appeared to be a dragon design on it.

The car was described as an older model light-colored foreign make sedan.

The victim’s wallet and an undisclosed amount of cash were reportedly stolen during the incident, which is classified as a first-degree robbery and a first-degree terroristic threatening.

Fire Department personnel treated the victim at the scene for non-life-threatening injuries and then released him.

Detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section are continuing the investigation.

Police ask that anyone who may have witnessed the incident or may have information on the identity of the suspects or the responsible vehicle call Detective Grant Todd at 961-2385 or email him at gtodd@co.hawaii.hi.us.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.